7 of the world's best walking holidays

Perth

Yep! In our own backyard, believe it or not. Perth isn’t just appealing for pristine beaches and bright blue skies, it’s also home to a bubbling creative, cultural scene. Take your pick from all sorts of restaurants and bars as you stroll the city’s easygoing streets or relax to the sound of wind whistling through the gum trees in lush urban parkland. If you want a helping hand to point out the significant historical or secret gems, popular walking tour company, Two Feat and a Heartbeat, was set up by two young locals.

Of course, you can always leave it up to chance and pick your next destination with something as fab as your own world globe! Get this on BHG Shop. 

In terms of sights to see en route, wandering through Munich’s pedestrian-friendly city centre you’ll find pretty Bavarian scenes at every turn. Of all the delights to stumble upon, the English Garden is a highlight. One of Europe’s biggest parks, it contains idyllic lakes, historic follies, beer gardens and even a Japanese teahouse. Beyond this urban oasis, it’s easy to while away hours window shopping and enjoying the ornate public buildings and the Frauenkirche cathedral.

Just remember, though, you won't get there without one of these! Available on BHG Shop now. 

A city to lose yourself in for days, Kyoto is a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern hustle bustle. It was the imperial capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years and is known for its temples, tea ceremony and flower arranging traditions. But it’s also a thriving, forward-thinking metropolis. The city’s many sights are relatively spread out so you’ll need to catch public transport in between but the best way to explore each area is on foot. A particularly interesting walk is around the Kiyomizu-dera temple, where shrines and stalls selling snacks make up a lively hub of activity.

You won't want to sit down throughout Japan, so take all your belongings with you in something a li'l bit Harajuku like this adorable airport bag! Get it on BHG Shop. 

The capital of Uruguay is surprisingly walkable for such a big city. With a distinctively 'beachy' vibe, it’s hard not to absorb its relaxed attitude with lazy strolls along the Rambla (esplanade) at sunset. The many leafy plazas and grand colonial architecture will no doubt catch your eye, a charming mélange of colonial, Art Deco and ‘70s concrete towers. The Old Town, Ciudad Vieja, is especially captivating – weave between historic buildings with crumbling facades serenaded by street musicians before tucking in to some Uruguayan cuisine from a street vendor.

And don't forget to record your thoughts and feelings as you go in a stylishly cute little travel journal, all your own! Get one on BHG Shop. 

If you can handle a few hills, San Francisco is prime walking territory. Not just thanks to its sunny Northern Californian climate. The city’s personality is best absorbed by wandering around its eclectic neighbourhoods, looking out for colourful houses and characters. You can also walk the 1.7 miles of the Golden Gate Bridge (or just to the first tower and back again) or step down to Pier 39 for fresh crab or an ice-cream.

If you're going to be tackling all these hills, remember to take a fitness tracker with you for the ride to rack-up all those wonderful kilojules you'll burn off! Get this pretty pink one on BHG Shop. 

Laid out in a grid formation (just like Melbourne, only a LOT bigger!) and with streets numbered, there’s little chance of getting lost in New York however far you wander. Make your way through Manhattan on foot discovering the hugely varied neighbourhoods, from SoHo to Little Italy, and of course Central Park. The majority of residents don’t own cars and the city is incredibly walkable – Booking.com guests endorsed New York extremely highly for city walks – and even Times Square is pedestrian-only. But should you need it, you can always hop on the subway.

If you're on your feet all day in a city this big, you'll need a portable charger to go along with you for the ride. This power bank is just that and available on BHG Shop. 

Sauntering through Bordeaux you’ll be able to sense its laid-back but graceful mood. Glorious neoclassical buildings line pedestrianized boulevards and fountain-filled squares. Of the latter, Place de la Bourse is probably the most spectacular with its ‘miroir d’eau’, the largest reflecting pool in the world, giving it a dreamlike appearance. As well as being great for walking, it is also very bike-friendly and has an impressive public transport system, so getting around is a breeze.

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